Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring Recipe

Imagine the aroma of buttery, golden pastry filled with savory turkey and tangy cranberry sauce wafting through your kitchen. This Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring Recipe transforms your holiday leftovers into an impressive centerpiece that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. The flaky crescents perfectly complement the rich turkey and sweet-tart cranberry filling, creating a harmony of textures and flavors that will have everyone reaching for seconds. You’ll learn how to create this stunning ring with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps that guarantee success every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring is a game-changer for holiday meal planning. First, it’s incredibly versatile – perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner, and ideal for using up Thanksgiving or Christmas leftovers in a way that doesn’t feel repetitive. The presentation is simply stunning, with the golden ring showcasing the colorful filling peeking through the center and between the pastry layers.

The contrast between the crispy, flaky crescent dough and the moist, savory turkey filling creates a textural masterpiece that’s utterly satisfying. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of buttery pastry, savory meat, and sweet-tart cranberry, with optional creamy cheese that melts throughout.

Best of all, despite its impressive appearance, this crescent ring is surprisingly simple to make. With just about 10 minutes of prep time and minimal ingredients, you can create a showstopper that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen. It’s the ultimate stress-free holiday recipe that guarantees compliments.

Ingredients

For this Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring, you’ll need:

• 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 2 cups cooked turkey, shredded or chopped (about 10 oz/280g)
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce (150g), whole berry or jellied
• 4 oz cream cheese (115g), softened
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise (60g)
• 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded (2 oz/55g)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (15g)
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced (25g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted (15g)

The crescent dough should be fresh and cold for best results. For the turkey, both white and dark meat work beautifully, with leftover roasted turkey being ideal. Choose high-quality cranberry sauce with a good balance of sweetness and acidity to complement the savory turkey.

Pro Tips

Master the Ring Shape
The most crucial technique for a perfect Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring is arranging the triangles correctly. Place the wide ends toward the center, overlapping slightly to form a sun-like pattern, with the points extending outward. This creates the foundation for a stable ring that won’t break apart during baking. Make sure to leave about a 4-inch diameter open space in the middle – this gives your ring room to expand without losing its shape.

Filling Distribution is Key
To ensure even flavor in every bite, mix your turkey thoroughly with the cream cheese and cranberry before assembling. Spread the filling in an even layer around the ring, leaving about 1/2 inch from the edge of the inner circle. This prevents overflow during baking and creates a cleaner presentation. Press down gently on the filling to compact it slightly before folding over the triangles.

Perfect Golden Crust
The secret to that irresistible golden crust is twofold: first, don’t skip the egg wash, which creates a beautiful shine and color. Second, check your ring at the 20-minute mark – if it’s browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil for the remaining bake time. For an extra touch of flavor, brush the finished ring with melted butter infused with a small pinch of garlic powder and herbs immediately after removing from the oven.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Work Surface
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded turkey, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Swiss cheese, parsley, green onions, salt, and pepper until well mixed. The mixture should be cohesive but still have texture.

Step 2: Arrange the Crescent Dough
Open both cans of crescent rolls and separate the triangles. On your prepared baking sheet, arrange the triangles in a circle with the wide ends overlapping in the center and the points facing outward, like a sun. The overlapping parts in the center should form about a 4-inch diameter circle. Gently press the overlapping dough together to seal.

Step 3: Add the Filling
Spoon the turkey mixture evenly onto the wide part of each triangle, creating a ring of filling around the center. Next, add small dollops of cranberry sauce on top of the turkey mixture, spacing them evenly around the ring. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make the ring difficult to close properly.

Step 4: Form the Ring
Bring each triangle tip up and over the filling, tucking it under the wide end of the dough in the center of the ring. The filling should peek through between the triangles, creating a beautiful pattern. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect – rustic looks wonderful too!

Step 5: Final Touches and Baking
Brush the entire ring with beaten egg for a golden, shiny finish. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crescent ring is deeply golden brown and the dough is completely cooked through. If the top starts browning too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Allow the Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Variations

Thanksgiving Flavors Crescent Ring
Transform this Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring into the ultimate Thanksgiving leftover solution by adding a layer of leftover stuffing between the turkey and cranberry sauce. Mix 1/2 cup of mashed potatoes into the cream cheese base, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of dried sage for an unmistakable holiday flavor profile. This version brings the entire holiday meal into one delicious package.

Mediterranean Turkey Crescent Ring
For a fresh twist, replace the cranberry sauce with 1/4 cup sun-dried tomato pesto. Substitute feta for the Swiss cheese, and add 1/3 cup chopped kalamata olives, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the turkey mixture. This Mediterranean variation brightens the leftover turkey with vibrant flavors that transport your taste buds to the Greek isles.

Breakfast Crescent Ring
Create a morning version of the Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring by using turkey breakfast sausage instead of roasted turkey. Add 1/2 cup scrambled eggs and 1/4 cup diced red bell peppers to the filling mixture. Replace the cranberry sauce with 1/4 cup maple syrup mixed with 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard for a sweet and savory breakfast sensation perfect for holiday brunches.

Storage and Serving

The Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results when reheating, place slices on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, which helps restore the crispness of the pastry. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the crescent dough soggy.

Serve this stunning ring warm on a decorative platter garnished with fresh cranberries and herb sprigs for a festive touch. For an elegant presentation, place a small bowl of additional cranberry sauce in the center of the ring. This dish pairs beautifully with a simple arugula salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette, offering a peppery contrast to the rich filling.

For a complete meal, accompany the crescent ring with roasted vegetables such as Brussels sprouts or butternut squash, which complement the holiday flavors. For casual gatherings, cut the ring into smaller pieces and serve as appetizers alongside mulled cider or a light white wine.

FAQs

Can I make this Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring ahead of time?
You can prepare the filling up to 24 hours in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. However, it’s best to assemble the ring just before baking to ensure the crescent dough stays fresh and doesn’t get soggy.

What can I use instead of turkey?
Chicken makes an excellent substitute for turkey with nearly identical results. For non-poultry options, try using 2 cups of chopped ham or even 1 1/2 cups of cooked, crumbled breakfast sausage for a different flavor profile.

My crescent ring broke open while baking. What went wrong?
This usually happens when the filling is too heavy or wet. Make sure to drain any excess liquid from your turkey, and don’t overfill the ring. Additionally, ensure you’ve properly sealed the overlapping portions of dough in the center.

Can I freeze leftovers of the Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring?
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

Is there a way to make this recipe with homemade dough instead of canned crescents?
Absolutely! You can use a homemade pastry dough or even pizza dough. Roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into triangles to mimic the shape of crescent rolls. The baking time may need to be adjusted depending on the dough used.

Conclusion

This Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring is comfort food at its finest — a beautiful blend of buttery pastry, savory turkey, and tangy-sweet cranberry that transforms leftovers into something truly special. It’s the kind of dish that brings people together around the table, whether for a casual family lunch or as an impressive addition to your holiday spread. The simplicity of preparation combined with its stunning presentation makes this recipe a valuable addition to your repertoire. Next time you’re wondering what to do with leftover turkey, remember this crescent ring – it’s guaranteed to become a post-holiday tradition in your home.

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